Chapter double post...well then.
At any rate, update!
Chapter 12:
"Come on! This way!"
"She is rather...excitable."
"Shiratsuyu-chan always is like that."
Indestructible and Fubuki stood, both in swimwear, on a beach. A beach that had been
appropriated when Shiratsuyu had practically begged Admiral Takeda for some time to spend with her sister. Takeda had merely smiled, and waved the girls off, promising that he would get them that time. That Indestructible had been forced to borrow a swimsuit off Nagato of all girls...had not even crossed his mind, evidently. Still, she wasn't going to complain. While the man was clearly busy and didn't have as much time as he would like, it was equally clear he cared about the ships under his command.
She could respect that, for sure.
And so, here she was. Shigure was being dragged along by her sister, the pair in matching swimwear. A wide, happy grin was on the elder destroyer's face. And a small, but noticeable, smile was on Shigure's. The sisters were moving through the surf, as Shiratsuyu tried to point out things to her sister. A crab here, a fish there. Granted, as ships, the girl would already know that. But Indestructible, at least, understood the reasoning. How could she not?
I'm a big sister as well, after all.
Shiratsuyu was cheering her sister up, and Shigure was playing along.
"Should we join them, Indestructible-san?" Fubuki asked, her one-piece hugging her body.
"I think we should wait." The British girl replied, shrugging slightly. "I have the feeling they should spend some time alone."
Fubuki smiled, "Like you and your sisters?"
"Exactly."
That was why Indestructible waited where she was. She wanted Shigure to spend time with her sister, more than with her. The British battleship knew, better than most, how much good having your sibling with you could be. In the days after Jutland...if she hadn't had Implacable and Irresistible with her, it would have been so much harder.
"Indestructible-san!"
Then again, if she was
asked to go over, she would.
"Yes?" Indestructible replied, as Shiratsuyu waved at her.
"I want to try something!"
Raising an elegant eyebrow, the British girl walked over to where the destroyers were. Fubuki was a step behind her, the eldest destroyer in their little group. Shiratsuyu, for her part, wore a cocky grin on her face. Shigure looked...about as usual. Slightly worried, as her blue eyes shifted between her sister and the battleship. The expression had Indestructible warily watching the elder sister, worried that the brown-haired girl had something...special...in mind for her.
"I saw this on the television one time." Shiratsuyu began, without prompt.
"Saw what?"
"It's a game!"
With no more explanation, the brown-haired girl moved over to her sister. Shigure's eyes widened, as her sister kneeled in front of her. Shiratsuyu sent a cocky look over her shoulder, "Hop on, Shigure!"
Shigure just blinked, "Onee-chan?"
Indestructible felt just as confused, "What sort of game is this?"
Giggles broke out behind her at that question, quickly revealed to be Fubuki. The dark-haired girl was holding a hand to her mouth, green eyes dancing with merriment. Her British friend just frowned. She was seriously confused at the moment, in more ways than one. What exactly were they planning?
"I'm not sure what the game is called, Indestructible-san." The little destroyer got out. "But it's simple. Two pairs, with the goal of knocking the other pair into the water."
"Ah...I...see?" Indestructible was still confused. What sort of game was that?
But, if Shiratsuyu thought it would cheer her sister up, what other choice was there? Really, Indestructible would do anything that didn't compromise herself, if it made Shigure happy. She valued the girl as a friend, one of the few who understood her. A precious commodity, in this day and age.
"Don't think you'll win though!" Shiratsuyu still wore her grin. "I'm the number one big sister, and I won't lose!"
"Onee-chan..."
For her part, the misplaced battleship just smirked, "We'll see about that."
She could let loose, once in a while. And if anyone was the best big sister, it was her. The entire British battlecruiser force- well, aside from the girls older than her -could agree! Besides, as Fubuki clambered onto her shoulders, being careful to avoid pulling on the straps of her borrowed 'bikini', Indestructible could find fun in the game herself. A test of strength and skill. She was a battlecruiser, it was almost impossible to lose. With that in mind, she moved forward, as a hesitant Shigure held onto her sister.
A sister who was grinning fiercely, the light of a challenge in her nearly-orange eyes.
Indestructible merely smirked back, as she pushed forward. Fubuki giggled on her shoulders, as she held her arms out. Shigure's blue eyes widened, even as her elder sister moved forward. The dark-haired destroyer brought her own arms up, trying to block Fubuki's shove. It only partially worked...Shigure fell back, her sister gritting her teeth. Shiratsuyu dug her heels into the sand beneath the girls, swaying slightly as water moved around her shorts. The moment she recovered though, she was right back into the game. And her smirk never once left her face.
Indestructible...was caught up in the fun of that challenge.
Oh, this is bloody great! I think I like this!
For the first time since she had been in Japan, Indestructible let out a joyful laugh. Shiratsuyu grinned at that, even as she pushed against the battleship.
"Having fun?" The destroyer asked, her face at the British girl's chest level.
"Yes, I am." Indestructible replied with a- real -smile on her face.
"Good! This is why I'm number one, I can even have people who aren't my sisters happy!"
Indestructible pushed forward at that, sending the destroyer backpedaling, "I'm the number one."
"Oh?" The light of an eager challenge was back in the other girl's eyes.
"You're bloody right I'm number one." Indestructible felt her mouth shifting into a grin. "Ask any battlecruiser."
"We'll see about that!"
As the two elder sisters dueled in the water, Fubuki sighed fondly as she looked over at Shigure. Both of the destroyers were seemingly forgotten, save for the effort to keep them in the air. Not that the 'mother of destroyers' minded that particularly much. She was quite happy enough, seeing that Indestructible was enjoying herself. Sometimes...sometimes she had wondered to herself. If her new friend would ever be comfortable, and able to
be herself in Japan. Fubuki had liked to think, with how Hiei and the others acted, that the stoic Indestructible was just acting as she did...
Because she was in 'enemy territory'. Commander Goto's actions had hardly helped in that regard, had they?
But it made
her happy to see this. Even as Fubuki nearly went toppling into the water as Shiratsuyu headbutted Indestructible's stomach. The battleship stumbled back, but was soon right back in play. Her extra height was certainly an advantage, as she pushed the destroyer back. For her part, Fubuki made a token effort to knock Shigure over. The other destroyer defended herself, but as she looked down with a small smile, she didn't fight back.
"She's happy..." Shigure whispered softly.
"She is." Fubuki agreed.
"That's good." The dark-haired girl sent a smile at Fubuki. "But I thought this was to cheer
me up?"
Her elder counterpart shrugged, "Maybe, but I'm not complaining!"
Neither was Indestructible, for that matter. She was...enjoying herself. In a way she had not, since she had been summoned. Perhaps she had needed this, just as much as Shigure had. Regardless, she was not going to complain.
Nor would she lose, for that matter.
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"ONEESAMA!"
Hiei, with her sisters in tow, had finally returned from her duty escorting that convoy. That duty had seen her spending more time with Russians than was probably healthy, if one looked at Hibiki. But, now that it was over, the first thing she was going to do was find her sister. She...
they...hadn't had a proper chance to talk. Being back in base for the foreseeable future, Hiei found herself hoping that Indestructible was willing to talk. Who knew how long it would be before she left...and Hiei was worried she wouldn't have
enough time. To really get to know her sister.
So, the first thing she had done upon returning was rush to the Admiral and ask. She had found him, waiting for Commander Goto for some reason, in his office. The Admiral had just smiled when she showed up, already telling her that her sister was at a nearby beach with three destroyers. Hiei had waved at him, promptly changing direction with her sisters right behind her. It hadn't taken long for the three battleships to reach the beach either. Hence, the shout.
"Welcome back Hiei!"
Though the sight greeting her had the 'Emperor's Ship' coming up short. Even
Kirishima was openly gaping.
After all, they could hardly have expected to find Indestructible in an ill-fitting bikini, staring down Shiratsuyu of all people. The battleship and destroyer were playing an impromptu game of volleyball, with Shigure and Fubuki sitting off to the side.
"Onee-san?" Haruna spoke up. "What is...?"
"I'm...not sure." Hiei replied, tilting her head like a confused puppy. "I'm not sure."
Kirishima pushed her glasses up, "Well, if I'm correct...knowing Shiratsuyu-chan, they are competing to see who is 'number one'. But I don't have a clue
what it's about. Do you onee-san?"
"No..."
Confusion lining every bit of her expression, Hiei stumbled over to Fubuki. The destroyer turned green eyes up at her, a happy smile on her face.
"Welcome back, Hiei-san." She repeated Indestructible's greeting. "Was the convoy okay?"
"Yup!" Hiei replied, some of her good cheer back in place. "The Russians know what they're doing!"
Fubuki nodded back, "That's good. Ah...about Indestructible-san..."
The destroyer's eyes turned back to where the other two girls were continuing to compete. A fond expression was on her face, as she giggled. Hiei was still too confused for that, in all honesty. Confused, but not unhappy. It was odd. In the short time she had known her beloved sister, Indestructible had seemed...so serious. Not even Kirishima was that serious. Not even
Kaga was that serious. Now?
Now she saw her onee-sama playing volleyball with an overly competitive destroyer. Happy laughs came from her, as brown hair flew in the setting sunlight. Brown eyes danced, happiness lighting them up in a way she hadn't seen before. And...
It made Hiei happy as well.
"She's happy."
Another nod came from Fubuki, "She is. I think Indestructible-san is finally able to relax."
"It's good to see." Shigure's soft voice agreed.
It is! Onee-sama is happy!
Indestructible may be the older sister, but for Hiei...it was like seeing Haruna or Kirishima doing something fun. Maybe it was just because she hadn't seen her sister happy before. But she was
definitely happy to see this herself. In fact...
"Haruna? Kirishima?" Hiei turned to her siblings, a wide grin crossing her face.
"Hai?"
"Let's join in!"
Not even quiet Haruna argued the point, as the three Hiei sisters charged over to their eldest sibling. Indestructible blinked, even as Shiratsuyu pounded the volleyball into her head. A question was clearly on her lips, even as her short-haired sister pulled up next to her. Kirishima and Haruna joined an equally confused Shiratsuyu, as Hiei picked up the volleyball. The eldest Japanese battleship turned her happy grin on her sister, as she handed the ball over. Indestructible took it, confusion still clear in her features.
Confusion that only lasted as long as it took Hiei to begin talking.
"Let's play together, onee-sama!"
A smile crossed the British girl's face at that, "Together?"
"Together!"
Indestructible nodded, as she clumsily- having never played before -sent the ball shooting back over the net. Hiei giggled, as she took up position to help her sister. They were at war, and it was only a matter of time until that came back. Or until someone upset her sister, and made her crawl back in what was now apparent as her shell. Her sister was always going to be more serious than she was, but Hiei was going to enjoy her being happy and make sure it lasted as long as it could!
Though how long that lasted, was up for debate. For Admiral Takeda stood outside his office, as familiar footsteps walked in his direction. The aged man pulled his cap down, as he looked towards the source of those footsteps. Commander Tatsuya Goto. Takeda sighed softly, as he thought of his subordinate. Goto was not a bad man, or so the Admiral liked to believe. He had his flaws, as did anyone. Takeda was not blind to his own flaws, namely his trust in others. But it had not occurred to him that Goto may prove himself...more flawed than anticipated. If only because, if the Admiral had anticipated there being any problems with Indestructible, it would have came from the kanmusu.
For it to come from Goto, had been a shock. It had been even more of a shock when
Kaga had been the one to approach him about it. Indestructible had not been far behind, true. But he hadn't expected the stoic carrier to make her request, before she went on patrol.
"Admiral, I ask that you talk with Commander Goto. How he treats Indestructible-san is not becoming of an officer of Japan."
Takeda, busy as he was, had not known. He hadn't known his direct subordinate, the man mostly responsible
for summoning Indestructible, had been trying to convince the kanmusu she was Kongou. While, strictly speaking, true...it was a slap in the face. To both the girl in question, and the Admiral. He had made it explicitly clear that Indestructible was to be treated as an honored guest. Moreover, he had already corrected Goto
at her summoning.
So why the man continued to push? That was something he intended to get an answer for.
"Admiral." Goto finally came into view himself, dark eyes inscrutable as always.
"Commander." Takeda inclined his head slightly.
There was silence after that, before the Admiral nodded at his office. Goto nodded back, walking into the room.
Takeda sighed as he followed him. He was going to get an answer...he just wasn't certain if he would
like it.
The Commander is a smart man. I can't believe he would purposely antagonize Indestructible like this, without a good reason. But...I wonder exactly what his reason is...
I've mentioned before that Indy is more like Kongou than she let's on. This has been apparent with her heart of gold and chronic 'cool big sis' thing. Here, we see she has a competitive side and can actually act out and enjoy herself.
Which we haven't seen before now, because she hasn't exactly been in a position to do so. Hopefully it worked properly.
This chapter is also intended as a 'breather' after all the Abyssal stuff lately.
)
